124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO Home Software Operating Systems 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them Tips and tricks for everything from upgrade issues and freeing up storage, to solving privacy errors and using safe mode by: 25 Jun 2021 Shutterstock is undoubtedly the most popular operating system in the world. The Microsoft-developed OS was used by as of March 2021 - almost five times more than its biggest rival, 's macOS. The most recent version of the operating system, first as the successor to Microsoft's much-maligned It has since become the most widely-used iteration of OS, having been installed on more than worldwide hitps:twwitpre.co.ukloperating-systems!25802!17-windows-10-problems-and-howt-fx-them at124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them | T PRO However, this growing popularity doesn't mean the OS is perfect. Although Windows 10 faces far fewer security issues than some of its predecessors, namely Windows 7 and Windows Vista, the operating system also comes with its very own set of challenges, although thankfully the majority of them occur only occasionally and are not extremely serious These may include occasional slow boot times, pointlessly convoluted localisation options, notifications you definitely didn’t ask for, and, at times, you might even notice that your storage availability is way lower than you anticipated. Although these aren't complete deal- breakers, they can prove to be annoying, especially if encountered on a regular basis without a clear fix. This is why we've decided to compile the 17 most common Windows 10 problems as well as, provide some invaluable advice on how to fix them quickly. 1. Can't upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8 One of the most common issues with Windows 10 can happen straight away when you attempt to upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8. This could take the form of a warning that the ‘Get Windows 10'(or GWX) app is not compatible, or the app may not appear at all, which will lead to a failed update. Here are a few things you can try to move the update it along: ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 2181124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO Get the IT Pro newsletter Get the free daily newsletter from IT Pro, delivering the latest news, reviews, insights and case studies SIGN UP * Open Control Panel and then run Windows Update and ensure that the PC is fully up to date. If updates fail, run the Windows Update Troubleshooter (see below, number 3) Use the Media Creation Tool. Don't rely on GWX: visit https://www.microsoft.com/en- us/software-download/windows10, click Download tool now, save the tool, and run it on the PC you want to upgrade. If this didn’t work for you back when Windows 10 launches, try it again now - the tool has been improved. Make sure that hardware Disable Execution Prevention (DEP) is switched on in the BIOS, referring to your motherboard manual for help if you need it. If you still have problems, use the Start Menu to search for ‘performance’, run Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows, click the Data Execution Prevention tab and turn DEP on for all programs and services, then reboot and try again. 2. Can't upgrade to the latest Windows 10 version Windows 10 receives major updates every so often, such as the May 2020 Update (codenamed 2004) and the October 2020 Update (codenamed 20H2). Each of these updates introduces new features to Windows 10, as well as a number of bug fixes and a whole lot more. ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 3181124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO Despite Windows 10 being the most stable release yet, one of the most frequent problems experienced by the platform users is updating to the latest version of Windows 10 when it's released. However, any updates like this won't show up as available to everyone and this means you'll have to resort to manually updating your operating system instead. Before you start upgrading, you'll need to check which Windows 10 version you're already running. You can do this by heading to the "About Windows" screen. ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 41124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO If you're ready to install the latest version of Windows 10, you can use the Windows Update Tool, although the Media Creation Tool alternative is the more reliable option. You simply -ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17 windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 5131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them | T PRO need to download it, install it and use it to manually upgrade your PC to the latest version. Just alittle side note. When you run Media Creation Tool, you may not see any reference to uparading to the late version of Windows 10 when using the software, or which version it nps:thmwwitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 61124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them | T PRO will upgrade your system to. Instead, it refers to whether it's the Home or Business version youre trying to install and if this is the version you're running, you can hopefully be rest assured the newest build will be installed. Also, make sure you've opted to keep the personal files and apps and click Install to keep your data, apps, and most of your settings untouched. Now, when you hit install, it should start installing the most up-to-date version of the operating system. -ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17 windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 7181124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them | T PRO 3. You have a lot less free storage than before After installing Windows 10, the obsolete version of the OS is hanging around in the background taking up valuable disk space. You may be asking as to why this happened, and the answer is that Microsoft isn't quite as controlling as some other big tech companies. Instead of forcing users to update their hardware and never look back, Microsoft keeps a hold of the important files that made up your previous OS in the C:/ drive. This is in case you don't like the new Windows 10 and decide to change back to the previous operating system that you might be more used to. If you like the new OS and want to delete the old one for good, then click on the Windows Start button and type "cleanup" to automatically search the system. A“Disk Cleanup” app should appear before you in the search criteria field. Click on it to open the application. ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 31124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO A drive selection box should appear. Simply select the drive your OS is installed on. The default drive should appear first which is usually the C:/ drive. If you're confident that this is the main drive where your OS is installed, hit OK. Windows should scan your system for a while and then a box will pop up. ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 9131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO Now, two things could happen at this point. You could be presented with alist of files to delete right away, one of which is "Previous Windows Installation(s)’, or if that option is not visible, you will need to select the "Clean up system files" option on the bottom left. Windows will do some more calculations and give you another a remarkably similar looking box, this time with the option to delete previous windows installation(s). You might have to scroll down to find it, but it should be taking up a sizeable bit of drive space, in our case, 8GB. Tick this option and click OK. In the separate message box that appears asking if you're certain you want to send this, click Delete Files, and youre done. 4. Windows Update isn't working Many people have reported issues with Windows Update in Windows 10. Check first that you've upgraded to the Windows 10 Fall update (see above, number 2). If you're still getting problems, download and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter, then reboot and try to update again. ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 10131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO If the problems remain, you might need to get a bit more stuck in. First, check that System hitpswnitpr.co.ukloperaing-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-xthem 1188112421, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO Restore is configured (see below, number 7) and create a restore point. With this done, use Win+X and select Command Prompt (Admin), then type ‘net stop wuauserv (without the quotes) and hit Enter, followed by ‘net stop bits' and Enter. You should see confirmations that each service was either stopped or wasn't running. Next, open Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. Delete its contents including any sub-folders. Now reboot, open Windows Update, and click Check for updates. 5. Turn off forced updates If you're anything like us, you set up previous Windows releases so that they wouldn't install updates automatically - one forced reboot is one too many. There is a workaround for users running Windows 10 Pro: from the Start Menu, search for ‘gpedit' and run the Group Policy Editor. Expand Computer Configuration in the left-hand pane and navigate to Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update. Double-click Configure Automatic Updates in the list, select the Enabled radio button, and in the left-hand box select 2 - Notify for download and notify for install. Now click OK, and you'll be notified whenever there are updates - unfortunately, they'll be a daily irritation if youre using Windows Defender. ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 12181124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO hitpstwwitpre.co.ukloperating-systems!25802!17-windows-10-problems-and-how-t-fi-them 13931124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them | T PRO The Group Policy Editor isn't available on Windows 10 Home, but we'd recommend you at least open Windows Update, click Advanced options, and select Notify to schedule restart from the Choose how updates are installed list. While you're here, all Windows 10 users might want to click Choose how updates are delivered and ensure that Updates from more than one place is either off or set to PCs on my local network IT. -ntpsuthwwitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 14031124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them | T PRO 6. Turn off unnecessary notifications Windows 10 introduced Action Centre, a panel positioned to the side of the display which aggregates all the notifications your system makes so you can deal with them all at once. It's a handy feature but it can also become clogged with notifications quickly if they're not frequently addressed. Notifications can vary from the incredibly important systems messages to miscellaneous social media of software updates. There is, however, a way to filter out the messages you have no interest in. You can open Settings, head to notifications & actions, and you'll be greeted with several toggle buttons which you can customise on an app-by-app basis. You can also just head straight to the settings screen by searching notification and actions’ in the search bar. |ntpssinwaaitro.cosKloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-how-to-ixthem 18181124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO 7. Fix privacy and data defaults We're not a fan of some of the data-sharing defaults in Windows 10, and we'd recommend all users review them periodically. Use the Start Menu to search for and run the Settings app, then click Privacy. In the left-hand pane, you'll see many areas where your computer might be sharing data. It's worth spending time checking that you're comfortable with allowing apps to use your computer's camera, microphone, account information and so on, and where you are, checking that no surprise apps appear in the lists. Note, too, that the default Feedback & diagnostics setting is to send enhanced data to Microsoft. -ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17 windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 16131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them | T PRO If you use Windows Defender, click the back arrow, and select Update & Security, then Windows Defender. Check that you're happy with the default behaviour, which is to enable Cloud-based detection and Automatic sample submission. Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of Wi-Fi Sense, which is designed to get you onto wireless networks more quickly. On a device with Wi-Fi, click the back arrow, select Network & Internet, click Wi-Fi, and select Manage Wi-Fi Settings. Weld strongly recommend turning off Connect to suggested open hotspots, connect to networks shared by my contacts, and disabling the button under Paid Wi-Fi services if it's present. -ntpsuthwwitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 17131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them | T PRO Additionally, Wi-Fi Sense might result in the sharing of your network's wireless credentials among devices you don't control and allow a guest to log in and their contacts - and potentially theirs in turn - may also be able to. Ridiculously, the only fix is to rename your network's SSID so that it ends with "_optout”. We'd recommend confining guests to a guest wireless network, configuring your own devices not to use Wi-Fi Sense, and asking staff to do the same before allowing their Windows 10 devices onto the main wireless network. 8. Where's Safe Mode when you need it? Safe Mode can be a life-saver in many system-critical problem situations, especially when your device is finding it difficult to start correctly. However, what if one day, you find out that you can no longer activate Safe Mode by pressing the F8 or Shift+F8 keys at boot? Although unnerving, it's important to remain calm. What you can try is to boot into Windows first, and then restart the device by pressing the left Shift key. As an alternative, you can also do it by going into Update & Security in Settings. However, bear in mind that neither of these options will be of any help if your PC isn't capable of booting into Windows at all ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 18131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO This is why you should consider setting up a boot time Safe Mode opti nas a precaution - this can be done by pressing Win+X, selecting Command Prompt (Admin), and then typing in bededit /copy {current} /d "Windows 10 Safe Mode” and confirming it by pressing the Enter key. Next, type ‘msconfig’ into the Start Menu, run System Configuration in the results, and navigate to the Boot tab. Once you find your newly-created Windows 10 Safe Mode option, highlight it and tick the Safe Boot option, while also choosing the Minimal’ under Boot type choices. You can also choose whether you'd want to decrease the Timeout value to as little as three seconds, depending on what will be most convenient for you. Lastly, tick the Make all boot settings permanent’ option and confirm with OK. If you ever want to get rid of the Safe Mode entry, you can do it easily by returning here and deleting it. ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 19131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO You can repeat these steps, substituting suitable names in quotes at the Command Prompt, to create shortcuts for Safe Mode with Networking (tick Network rather than Minimal in System Configuration) and Safe Mode with Command Prompt (Alternate shell). ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 20131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO 9. Enable System Restore By default, System Restore isn’t enabled in Windows 10, we can’t think why that is, it is such auseful and essential feature everyone should have. hitpstwwitpre.co.ukloperating-systems!25802!17-windows-10-problems-and-howt-fx-them 21181124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO To turn this on, it must be enabled manually using Control Panel. Search for Create a restore point and click on the first result to open the System Properties page. Under the "Protection Settings’ section, select the main "System’ drive, then click “Configure”. Then Select the “Turn on system protection” option. Click the Apply button and then the OK button. Once this is done, Windows 10 will always create a restore point when applying a new update or when particular system changes are carried out. ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 22181124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO 10. Bad localisation, Cortana ‘not available’ Windows 10's localisation options seem needlessly convoluted, and we've had multiple reports of incorrect localisation even in computers that were upgraded from correctly localised Windows 7 or Windows 8 installations. The most common issue seems to be system dates set in the American format MM/DD/YY, but Windows can also report that Cortana isn't available, even in regions where itis. From the Start Menu, search for ‘region’ and choose Region & Language settings. Check rnps:vwnutpro.oskloperating-sytems25802117-xindows-0-problen-and-how-o-xhem zat124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO that the United Kingdom is selected under Country or region, and check that your chosen language(s) appear under Languages. Select your primary language, click Options, and click Download under the language pack, and speech options if they're present. Check on this page that the keyboard is also correct - if it isn't, add the correct one, then select the wrong one and remove it. Click the back arrow and select Additional date, time & regional settings. Under Language, click Change input methods, select your chosen language, move it to the top of the list if it isn't there already, and click Options. Under Windows display language you might see either Enabled or Available - if the latter, click Make this the primary language. If you don't see either, download and install the language pack, then make it the primary language. ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 24031124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO Click the back arrow to return to the language preferences, and in the left-hand pane click Change date, time, or number formats and check that the format is set to the correct language. Check the Home location on the Location tab, and finally use the Administrative tab to check the System locale and use the Copy settings button to apply the settings to the Welcome screen and new user accounts. Tl. Fix slow boot times Like Windows 8 before it, Windows 10 uses a hybrid boot to enable fast boot times. When you shut the system down, apps and app processes are terminated, but the Windows kernel itself is hibernated to allow for a faster restart. In theory, it's great, but it still is terribly slow for some Windows 10 users. Disable it by searching for Power Options in the Start Menu and running the matching Control Panel applet, then in the left-hand pane click Choose what the power buttons do. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable, scroll down and un-tick Turn on fast start-up, then click Save changes. This should prevent a very slow start on affected PCs Some users report that if they subsequently reboot, re-trace their steps and re-enable fast start-up the problem remains cured ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 25131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO If you're dual booting between Windows 10 and Windows 7, switching fast startup off will also fix the problem where Windows 7 checks the disks each time you boot it: With fast start-up enabled, the earlier operating system doesn't recognise that the disks have been nronerly shut down by Windows 10 -ntpsithmwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 26131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO Picpory one uve uy rinuune We 12. The lock screen gets in the way Return to a locked Windows 10 device and you'll see a pretty picture. That's nice, butit's a needless obstacle in the way of logging in. If you're as impatient as we are, disable the lock screen by searching the Start Menu for regedit, and running the Registry editor. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE \Policies\Microsoft\Windows. If you don't already see a key named Personalisation’, select the Windows key, right-click it, choose New>Key and rename this new key to Personalization (sic). Right-click the Personalisation key choose New again then select DWORD (32-bit) Value. Select New Value #1 in the right-hand pane and use F2 to rename it NoLockScreen, then double-click it, change the value data to 1and click OK. After a reboot, the lock screen will be gone. 13. | can't play a DVD! Windows 10 shipped without an app to play DVDs on. Which isn't great if you like to watch movies on your PC. Luckily, Microsoft has released an app as a download. Troubles it costs 11.59. It also has. garnered an overall rating of just two stars. Alternatively, you can download VLC, which is free and works just as well if not better. npsuthmwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 27131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO 14. Stop Windows 10 using 4G data Windows 10 often uses your internet bandwidth invisibly in the background which can play havoc with your data allowance if you're using a portable hotspot, To stop Windows 10 devouring your cellular data allowance in the background: = Go to Settings, then Network & Internet. = Select Wi-Fi and then Advanced Options. = Click "Set as metered connection" to on, and Windows will stop fetching non-essential data in the background, such as app updates and Start screen tile updates. Oddly, this tip doesn't work if your PC connects to the internet via Ethernet -ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17 windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 28131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them | T PRO 15. Save a web page as an HTML file in Microsoft Edge Bizarrely, Microsoft's new Windows 10 web browser can't currently save web pages as an HTML file. The only workaround is to open the web page in Internet Explorer 1l(whichis still ncluded as standard with Windows 10) and save from there. To do this: = Select the menu on the far right-hand side of the Edge window. = Select the open with Internet Explorer’ option. This will open your current web page in anew tab in IE = In IE 11, press Control-S on your keyboard to access the Save as dialogue box. ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 29131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fx them | T PRO hitpsstwwitpre.co.ukloperating-systems!25802/17-windows-10-problems-and-how-t-fr-them 30131124/21, 10:39 AM 17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them | T PRO 16. Turn on Pop-Up Blocker in Edge Ifyou used Microsoft Edge, you may find that pop-up ads will get in the way of the websites you actually want to visit. You can disable pop-ups by clicking on the icon with three dots on the right-hand side of the address bar and then clicking on "Settings’, then "View advanced settings’. Under "Block pop-ups’ make sure this is set to "On" -ntpsuthwnitro.co.ukloperatng-systems/25802/17 windows-10-problems-and-howto-fxthem 31181